Pilgrims Hospices has its roots in education. We support healthcare professionals to encourage best practice with a range of courses and resources. We run a monthly Best Practice Forum and have a community training space for hire, the Ann Robertson Centre.

Patients’ ukulele group strikes a chord

Posted on 26 February 2013

Five patients are sharing their musical talents at the Canterbury Day Hospice.

Patt Watson, Audrey Brown, John and Susan Kitt, and Geoffrey Willis all attend the hospices regular music workshop. They have enjoyed it so much now they’ve taken it one step further. With their own brand new ukuleles in rainbow colours, they meet each Tuesday in day hospice to practice a repertoire of songs.

Geoffrey has been coming to day hospice for 18 months and had never played an instrument before he came to hospice: “Playing music lightens our spirits,” he explains. “Everyone has fun, I think it’s going to take off!”

He says hospice staff are supportive of any creative activities patients decide to try.

“It’s a one stop shop here, staff encourage you all the time to try different things and will help get you anything you need. When I first came I thought it would all be doom and gloom but it’s quite different to that. There are plenty of sessions available to teach you everything from how to breathe more easily, to how to relax and visualisation techniques, it helps a lot.”